Sierra County advocate. [volume] (Kingston, N.M.) 1884-1960, 1887-07-08
"Given 10 Hospitality" !"
BY CATHARINE LENT STEVENSON.


receive visitors. | made it my on
rule when we began housekeeping
Said l, Helen. we may not have tn
finest kind of cookery on our table, bu
there's one thing must always be there
knife and fork for the stranger tha
Is within our gates. We've follow
ed that rule almost to the letter TO
almost fifteen years, and it's wonder
full how the Lord honors the Cheerful
giver; there pretty generally is strsn
ger within our gates, while our neigh
bors'
l should think there might be, inter
rupted Deacon Grants companion
with an amused smile, "if you hal
him on the road a mile from your
home, and force him back with YOU in
spite OF himself; on wash day, too, y
he continued, apologetcally, as emerg,
ing from the stable door, he saw a tall,
slender woman coming around the
corner of the house with basket piled
high with newly washed-clothes
"Wash-dayo Well what if it isq
Folks eat on wash-day, don't theyp
Helenr'--as thay approached the
clothes-line-'this is Dr. Brownell. the
young man who is going. to put up his
sign in our village. was lucky enough
to meet him on the road just now, so
brought him back to dinner. Near
ready, amt itp'
Very nearly, James. How do you
do. sir? The clothes-yard is hardly
the place for formal introduction, but
all times and seasons are alike to my
husbands" and the smile which lighted
Mrs. Grants once beautiful, but now
sadly worn face, had in it tinge of
bitterness which did not escape the doc
tors watchful eye.
Poor womanr' he murmared to
himself; Its just rs her aunt told me;
she's a daily immolaton on the alter OF
hospitality. y
"Of course they are" said the dea-
con. all unconcious of this by play of
thought; where's the difference in
times and seasons9 II mans ready
to receive his friends on Thursday af.
ternoon. why should't he be ready on
Monday morning. A friends a friend,
and days day don't see that 1t
matters much what name you call it.
But come into the house, doctor, you'll
melt in this broiling sum- and the dea-
con lead the way, through the vine-
covered porch, into the cool sitting
room.
The doctor sank into the easy chair
protfered him with a sigh of relief. 1t
was such change from the glare out
side-this dainty room, with its screened
windows, its floor covered with cool
mating. its vases of delicate flowers.
Isn't it delicous2" he exclaimed.
Yes" said The deacon, "this is
what call comfort Excuse me if take
off my coat ? After hot days work,
to come in and stretch yourself on this
lounge for an hour is something worth |
while, and enjoy 1t twice as much if |
there is somebody with me- ="
An opening door just then let in the
rattle OF dishes from an adjoining
room, and the doctor found himself |
wondering how many hours day Mr..
Grant took to enjoy the GOODNESS but
he only said, you are very hos
ptable man, Deacon Grant"
"Well"' said the deacon. with the
air of man who. though not uncon-
cious of his merits, could yet be hum
bic in that consciousness I've al
ways considered hospitality one of the
virtues in fact, | NAV say the
one. What greater condem-
nation could the Master pronounce
than Il was stranger. and We took me
not in ?" I've tried to live with that
passage before me for the past fifteen
years, and can assure YOU that no
one was ever turned empty from mn
ioor. Why, I've had dozens of poor
elbows stop here months at time when
hey have been looking for work. /
ion't say it boastingly, but you can ask
Deacon Grants reputation anywhere
bout here. and you'll be told that I'm
siven to hospitality"
"You must be peculiarly fortunate in
ecuring servants" said the young
Ioctor quietly, ''or else the strain of SO {
much generosity would come very
Ieavily upon your wife" I
well, no." said the deacon uneasily.
it's pretty hard work to get good
elp, that's fact, especially as | can
ford to pay fancy prices, We have !
My young girl this summer, but an '
Id aunt of mine is living here, who is
s spry as a cricket, and helps about a {
ood deal. Then we have no children, /
nd woman work is nothing anyhow" 8
Il think your wife looks far from {
'ell, and as if she were working much S
eyond her strength" said the doctor \
/ his most assured professional tone. !
"WhoP Helen9 Oh. no, che always $
'oks that way and she's perfectly v
ell. never heard her complain in
lie fifteen years we've lived together" i
But the thought evidently troubled T.
he good deacon. for after few irrel- I
Vant remarks, he excused himself, and Q
Ie doctor heard his voice a moment
ter: 'Is there anything can do to |,
Zip YOU women folksP" G
NJ, nothing" was the sharp reply;
amt a mans business. S.
ut l don't wonder you ask, Jeems; it Il
IL seem as if dinner wouldn't be dun fl
day. Helen kin take the longest
me an do the least of any woman "
know. Why. when | was her age il
Just what happend at that remote .
,riod the doctor never learned, for d.
that moment be heard Mrs. Grants ci
ice ''You may call your friend to ol
nuer, James